RF solution to develop next-generation 5G IoT platform

Sequans also used the Cadence AWR Visual System Simulator (VSS) software to predict and measure overall system performance and functionality in support of the 5G New Radio (NR) and internet of things (IoT) communication standards. The comprehensive, full-suite solution from Cadence enabled Sequans engineers to achieve a two times performance improvement versus its legacy solution and reduce time to market while ensuring a high level of accuracy.

“Designing 5G IoT devices is simultaneously a complex engineering challenge where designers must address stringent 5G performance specs as well as a cost-conscious exercise to meet the price targets of the IoT marketplace,” said Bertrand Debray, Executive Vice President and GM, Broadband IoT at Sequans. “The Cadence Virtuoso Layout Suite EXL, powered by the Cadence EMX Planar 3D Solver, gives our engineers advanced capabilities within a single unified design environment that greatly improves design team efficiency for meeting aggressive schedule goals. We are very confident and excited about using Cadence RF technologies in this project.”

The Sequans RF engineering team leveraged the Virtuoso RF Solution, which has a highly optimised design environment with embedded EM and multi-technology capabilities, to drive robust RF simulation and analyses. Integrating the EMX Planar 3D Solver directly into the Virtuoso Layout Suite EXL environment empowered Sequans engineers to efficiently design and verify critical on-chip and off-chip passive devices and interconnect.

The multi-technology capabilities of the Virtuoso RF Solution let integrated circuits (IC)s, packages and boards be combined and co-designed within a single, unified design platform, thereby significantly reducing EM setup time and effort and allowing designers to meet the growing EM requirements of 5G, IoT and other advanced communication standards.

Additionally, the seamless interplay of advanced simulation, multiphysics and RF technologies within the Cadence solution delivers a one-of-a-kind, comprehensive and extensible platform for chip, package and board design through to the end-to-end complete system design, analysis and signoff.

“The Cadence Intelligent System Design strategy, which enables customers to design from chips to packages/boards and large electrical systems more efficiently, continues to gain momentum globally with Sequans being one of the latest companies to embrace the Cadence RF solution,” said Tom Beckley, senior vice president and general manager of the Custom IC & PCB Group at Cadence. “Our electronic design software is recognised worldwide for its innovation and complete full-flow solutions that seamlessly leverage best-in-class EM signoff technology including the EMX and Clarity technologies.”

The EMX Planar 3D Solver is part of the broader set of multiphysics system-level solutions offered within the Virtuoso RF Solution. It supports the company’s Intelligent System Design strategy, delivering complete EM signoff for SoC design excellence.